Monmouth County, NJ - Thursday morning, Assemblyman Declan O'Scanlon attended a press conference at Clifton T. Barkalow Middle School, Freehold Township, to highlight the $485,000 in grants that have been released to the district through the School Development Authority's Regular Operating Districts (ROD) grant program.
Reportedly SDA Chief Executive Officer Marc Larkins was on hand to publicize the Freehold Township grant as a part of the SDA's $36.9 million State investment in constructions grants.
"Schools within the 12th District," said O'Scanlon, "received a total of $1.7 million in construction grants through this initiative. We all know that schools are facing some serious financial challenges, and capital projects are notoriously expensive, and attempting to delay the work only compounds future costs. These State grants make the difference in getting the necessary kind of construction work finished so they can provide safe and healthy environments for our children."
Freehold Township School District received a total of $486,000, Freehold Borough School District received $64,760, Freehold Regional High School District received more than $350,000, and Monmouth Regional High School received over $820,000 according to a press release.
"Through the projects funded by these grants," said Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande, "the State has been able to ensure the resolution of health and safety related issues in hundreds of schools. We need our students to first be safe and secure before any real learning can take place, and this program has helped facilitate that."
"The health and safety of our students is and must be a priority," said Senator Jennifer Beck. "These construction grants are specifically for that purpose. The projects funded by this State initiative are centered around safety and overcrowding issues. I am very pleased that these 12th District schools have been given an opportunity to remedy some existing issues without adding to the taxpayer's burden."
